Skip to main content
Inside the Astros

Astros Must Fix One Serious Problem or Risk Repeat of 2025

The Houston Astros have one glaring issue with their roster, and if something doesn't change then they could ultimately miss the playoffs entirely once again.
Maddy Dickens|
Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown (58) pitches in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown (58) pitches in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

In this story:

Houston Astros

Right now, the Houston Astros look strong. They sit atop the American League West at 5-2, but their record doesn't tell the whole tale by any means.

Offensively, the Astros look rock solid. Their hitters have scored the most runs in baseball as Yordan Alvarez is a way too early frontrunner for another Silver Slugger, and three players have an OPS over 1.000.

So, it isn't the bats that should petrify the Astros' fans, but the starting rotation. With the departure of Framber Valdez and a rotation that was already lacking depth prior to that, there is a clear problem that is continuing to rise.

The first problem that comes to mind is the fact that Houston already wasted a start of Brown's in the season opener. Despite his nine strikeouts, the team was shut out. It seems that the offense has now been kick-started, but moving forward, when Brown makes a start, it has to be a W for the team.

It seems that the issue will likely take care of itself, but the much bigger problem is not going away. There is only one other player who has made a start that finished with an ERA under 5.91. Two others are higher than 11.00.

Current Rotation Stats

Houston's biggest offseason move was the acquisition of Tatsuya Imai. Imai was incredible overseas, but a bit of a gamble since he had yet to throw a pitch in the majors, and right now it isn't going the best.

Imai was pulled before the third inning of his first start as he had already allowed four runners to cross home plate.

Lance McCullers shouts in a white Astros unifor
Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) reacts after a play during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Daikin Park. | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
  • Hunter Brown (10.2 Innings): 0.84 ERA, 1 Earned Run, 6 Walks, 17 Strikeouts, 1.03 WHIP, .135 Batting Average
  • Mike Burrows (10.2 Innings): 5.91 ERA, 7 Earned Runs, 2 Home Runs, 1 Hit Batter, 12 Strikeouts, 1.78 WHIP, .318 Batting Average
  • Tatsuya Imai (2.2 Innings): 13.50 ERA, 4 Earned Runs, 4 Walks, 4 Strikeouts, 2.63 WHIP, 2.73 Batting Average
  • Cristian Javier (4.2 Innings): 11.57 ERA, 6 Earned Runs, 2 Hit Batters, 4 Walks, 1 Strikeout, 1.71 WHIP, .267 Batting Average
  • Lance McCullers (7.0 Innings): 1.29 ERA, 1 Earned Run, 1 Walk, 9 Strikeouts, 0.71 WHIP, .171 Batting Average

The Astros missed the postseason entirely as a massive rut hit the ballclub in the final weeks of the season. If other starters continue to lag, it won't be shocking to see the front office make significant moves to help out Brown and their explosive offense.

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Published
Maddy Dickens
MADDY DICKENS

Maddy Dickens resides in Loveland, Colorado. She grew up with two older brothers, where their lives revolved around sports. She earned a master's degree in business management from Tarleton State University while simultaneously playing basketball and competing in rodeo at the collegiate level. She successfully parlayed a reserve national championship into a professional rodeo career and now stays involved in upper-level athletics by writing for On SI on several different MLB teams' pages, along with some NCAA sites.

Home/News